DAP has expressed full support for the proposed repeal of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU), a reform the party and its Pakatan Harapan (PH) partners have championed for decades.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said, however, that the reform effort should not stop with AUKU, as several other commitments made to Malaysians also require continued attention.
He said DAP wanted broader reforms in higher education, particularly to ensure Malaysians from all racial and social backgrounds have fair access to university opportunities.
“DAP gives 100 per cent support after hearing that the Prime Minister wants to abolish AUKU because I also studied at a local university and was a victim of AUKU at the time. I lived in fear on campus,” he said.
Loke said his personal experience had strengthened his belief that university students should be given greater freedom and a more open environment to express their views.
He also urged the Government to maintain the same spirit of reform when addressing other policies promised to the public, rather than treating the repeal of AUKU as an isolated move.
Speaking at the DAP National Conference 2026 here, he said the party would continue to push for changes that could create a fairer and more inclusive higher education system.
The proposed repeal of AUKU has been viewed as a significant step in the Government’s wider reform agenda, particularly in relation to student freedom and participation in public discourse.
Loke said DAP was prepared to support the Government’s efforts while also encouraging further reforms that could deliver meaningful changes for Malaysians.
